Bayern Munich director Matthias Sammer has said the club does not want to sell Xherdan ShaqiriGetty

Liverpool have been given a hands-off warning from Bayern Munich in their pursuit of World Cup star Xherdan Shaqiri.

The Bayern Munich midfielder has been watched by Brendan Rodgers as the Anfield manager looks to add firepower to his side in the wake of Luis Suarez's departure to Barcelona.

The 22-year-old, who joined the Bundesliga champions from FC Basel in 2012, scored a hat-trick against Honduras in the World Cup and has been on the radar of many of Europe's top sides.

Italian giants Roma had been thought to be close to snapping up the midfieder, who has made 42 appearances and scored 10 times for the Bavarians, from under the nose of Liverpool but Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer has quashed suggestions Shaqiri will leave the Allianz Arena.

In an interview with Kicker , the former Germany defender said Pep Guardiola has no intention of selling the the Swiss national because "he is an important player for the club".

The setback comes as Liverpool close in on Swansea City's striker Wilfried Bony. Rodgers believes the Ivory Coast international could help fill the void left by Suarez.

Bony, who joined Swansea only last summer from Dutch club Vitesse for £12 million, scored 16 goals and provided four assists in the 34 league games he played, attracting the attention of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

But it is the Anfield club Bony is thought to favour and the 25-year-old could become a Red by the end of the week.

One player whose deal is on the brink of completion is Benfica winger Lazar Markovic. The Serbian is expected to put pen to paper in the next 24 hours after undergoing a medical at Melwood.